Extractor tool

ABSTRACT

A tool to facilitate the extraction of the broken components of a sprinkler system from the interior of conduit pieces used and/or to facilitate the disassembly of such sprinkler systems. The conduit is held while an element exerts a leverage derived force against the sprinkler system component whereby the conduit and component are moved reciprocally apart. Knurled or toothed surfaces are provided on element engaging faces for the efficient transmission of the leverage forces derived from plier or screw elements.

United States Patent 1 1 Kanda 1 EXTRACTOR TOOL [76] Inventor: MasamiKanda, 1515 W. 48th Ave.,

Denver, Colo. 80221 [22] Filed: Sept. 11, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 287,949

[52] US. Cl.... 29/268, 29/234, 29/282,

8l/5.l R, 81/302, 81/420, 81/425 A [51] Int. Cl 823p 19/02 [58] Field ofSearch 29/244, 234, 268, 278,

29/280, 282, 270; 81/5.1 R, 3.05, 302, 418, 420, 425 A, 425 R; 7/3 R[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,334,781 11/1943 Maines81/302 X 2,364,953 12/1944 Daley 81/302 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS11, 154 5/1899 Great Britain 81/302 5151111 u g g [111, 3,823,462 [451July 16, 1974 Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith AssistantExaminer-Harold P. Smith, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-C. B. Messenger[57] ABSTRACT A tool to facilitate the extraction of the brokencomponents of a sprinkler system from the interior of conduit piecesused and/or to facilitate the disassembly of such sprinkler systems. Theconduit is held while an element exerts a leverage derived force againstthe sprinkler system component whereby the conduit and component aremoved reciprocally apart. Knurled or toothed surfaces are'provided onelement engaging faces for the efficient transmission of the leverageforces derived from plier or screw elements.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many householdand commercial sprinkler systems are in present use where the conduitsinterconnecting sprinkler head or other system components are sub jectedto bending and tension stresses. Likewise the sprinkler head or othercomponents may themselves be subjected to overload stresses which oftencause the threaded or knurled sections that engage the conduits to breakoff within such conduit. Since the conduits are of a near exact lengthas necessary to connect adjacent sprinkler components, any shortening ofthe conduit in order to effect a repair might make reconnectionimpossible. Because of these factors it is desirable that the brokensprinkler component be extracted from the installed conduit so that theconduit end can again be interconnected to a replacementsprinklercomponent. The interfit between the telescopingly mated sprinklercomponent and conduit, however, is quite tight, and the extraction ofbroken pieces is accordingly quite difficult. At present workmen andhouseholders must .ei-

ther precut and slit the broken stub, or they must exercise brute forceagainst the stub and conduit in an attempt to remove the stub. Ruptureand/or stretching of the conduit often results, and accordingly themanual exertions required are not always successful. If the conduit isruptured, the system must be dug up or restrung, or at least it isnecessary for a replacement piece to be spliced into position. It is apurpose of the present invention to provide varioustool embodiments thatcan be used to facilitate sprinker system repairs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides various toolembodi ments that are particularly adapted for extracting a broken stub.of sprinkler components from its place of engagement with a sprinklersystem conduit. Tool faces provide roughened surfaces for convenientlyand securely gripping the sprinkler component and/or the conduit sothatleverage forces can be applied to move such elements reciprocallyapart. In separate embodiments of the invention extractor type pliersare used for exerting a spreading force with such force being usedeither to engage the sprinkler component stub or a gripping element of atool assembly so the required extraction can be accomplished.Alternately, screw elements may be used for the generation of therequired leverage force for exerting a pulling motion against theentrapped sprinkler component stub. In all instances it is an object ofthe invention to provide improved gripping and leverage exerging meansthat will facilitate the removal of broken stub components and/or thedisassembly of sprinkler systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONOF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevationshowing an extractor using a screw type leverage system. Modificationsfor use of this type of extractor mechanism with plier type leveragecomponent are indicated,

FIG. 5 is a side elevation in partial crosssection showing a furtherplier powered extractor tool, and

FIG. 6 is a top partial view showing additional features and elements ofthe FIG. 5 embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 features of a typicalsprinkler system component 11 are shown. Usually the sprinkler componentwill be inclusive of an upright standpipe 12 that is flow connected tostub connectors 13 and '14. A'plurality. of ridges 16 are disposed onthe outer surfaces of stub connectors 13 and 14 in order to moresecurely hold the open ends of conduits 17 that are applied reciprocallythereabout. When a sprinkler system is being assembled, some lubricatingtype medium will be applied to facilitate the attainment of a secureengagement between the conduit and the stub connector for the sprinklersystem component 11. Once installed the interfitted components are quitesecure in and of themselves. Usually the interfit is itself tight'enoughto withstand the hydraulic pressures usually encountered in a sprinklersystem. For some installations an improved joinder is obtained throughthe use of cementing adhesives and/or the application of externalclamps. Once a junction of this type has been made it is quite difficultto remove the conduit 17 from the stub connectors. When the standpipe 12is still attached, a more aggressive pulling and pushing may be applied,but it is still sometimes difticult to remove the conduits from thesprinklercomponents.

A special problem arises in connection with the installation, usage orrepair of already installed sprinkler systems. Because of loads that maybe externally applied directly to the sprinkler component or by reasonof loadings applied to the soil surrounding the sprinkler system orconcuit, the connector stubs of the sprinkler components are oftenbrokenin the area indicated by the letter A. When thesprinkle'r component isbroken, it is necessary to replace such component in order to return thesystem to usage. The presence of a broken stub 14 in the fluid conduit17 presents a special problem, since the stub must be removed if thetotal length of the conduit is not to be shortened. At present brutestrength and common hand tools, such as pliers and screw drivers, arebeing used to accomplish removal of tions, the present inventionprovides tool embodimentsv that can be used to facilitate stub removaloperations.

A firsternbodiment of the invention is shown in FIG.

2. Herean extractor type of plier 21 is provided. The.

opposed handles 22 and 23 are joined together by a pivot 24in suchmanner thata gripping pressure exerted against the handles causes anoutward movement of the jaw components 26 and 27. These jaws and therespective end flanges 28 and 29 are of a size so that the jawsinclusive of the flanges may be inserted,

through the flow passage 31 of broken stub connectors. Once the jaws areinserted through the broken end of the stub connector to a point wherethe flanges will be engagedbehind the terminal ends 32 of such stub, agripping pressure exerted on the handles will move the jaws outwardly toa position of engagement with the interior surface 33 of the flowpassage 31. In order to increase the holding force that may be exertedagainst the broken stub, the external faces of the jaws 26 and 27 areprovided with a plurality of raised points 34 that will bite into thesurface of the broken stub. Such raised points may be separately cast orcut' on the external jaw faces as shown. These gripping points orserrations which provide a mechanical tooth can be derived by knurlingthe exterior surface of the jaws or a file tooth cutting type ofoperation can be used. However derived, it is desirable that theexterior faces of the jaws present an aggressive toothed configurationin order to improve the gripping force that can be exerted by such aws.

ln the use of this FIG. 2 embodiment of the invention the hand grippingpressure exerted against the handles allows the teeth 34 on the jaws 26and 27 to be securely engaged to the inner surface 33 of the stub whilethe flanges 28 and 29 are engaged against the innermost shoulder orterminal end 32 of such stub. When thus engaged a twisting and pullingforce exerted against the stub will facilitate the extraction thereof.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4. Here thedesirable stub extraction is accomplished through use of a screw typepuller mechanism. The combined puller tool 41 includes a mounting body42 that threadedly receives a screw thread 43. Such screw will movereciprocally when rotated by crosshandle 44. The screw thread 43 isitself connected to an end plug 46 which rotates freely with respect tothe screw but moves reciprocally with the end of such screw thread.Separate wings of an expansion extractor component 47 and 48 arepivotally secured together by pins 49 while the wings are urged apart byan expansion spring 51. When the tool is to be used, the wings 47 and 48will be moved inwardly toward each other so that the flanges 52 providedon the separate wings can be introduced through the central bore-31 of abroken stub 13. When the wings have been inserted a required distance,the spring 51 will cause the flanges 52 to move outwardly to a positionwhere the inwardly disposed terminal end 32 of the broken stub may beengaged by the flanges 52. Thereafter turning movement of the screwthread 43 will cause the end plug 46 to be brought into engagement withthe flanges 52 whereby continued rotation of the screw will exert apressure against the broken stub 13. This force is resisted by ashoulder 53 on the inner surface of the mounting body 42 which engagesthe end of the conduit 17. The applied leverage force of the screwsystem that is resisted by the shoulder 53 and mounting body 42 willaccomplish the extraction of the broken stub 13 which will graduallymove into a chamber 54 provided by the mounting body 42.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Here aplier type component is again used as a source of leverage force that isto be applied for separating the conduit and a broken stub oralternately for separating the conduit from an undamaged sprinklercomponent 11. If the tool is to be used for the extraction of brokenstubs, one leg 67 of the plier extractor 61 can be joined to an internalextractor component that may be identical with the wings 47 and 48 andend plug 46 combination of FIG. 4. A tension rod 73 used in place ofscrew thread 43 can in this configuration be joined to a clevis 74 forinterconnection to the leg 67 by a pin 76. These components will providea pulling force that is to be resisted by a split external collar 77which acts together with gripping jaws 78 and 79 to engage the exteriorsurface 81 of the conduit 17. The collar 77 and the cooperative grips 78and 79 are engaged about the conduit 17 at a position past the terminalend 32 of any broken stub. The collar 77 itself has clevis type fingers82 to facilitate interconnection of the collar to the other leg 66 ofthe extractor pliers 61 as by use of a pin 83. With this arrangement agripping force exerted against the handles 62 and 63 will cause the legs66 and 67 to be moved one away from the other. As the leg 66 is moved,the collar 77 will move reciprocally along the exterior surface of theconduit 17, and an internal wedging face 84 of the collar will engagethe exterior surfaces of the gripping jaws 78 and 79. The resultantwedging action causes the jaws 78 and 79 to be moved into closerengagement with the exterior surface 81 of the conduit 17. The internalsurfaces 86 of the jaws 78 and 79 are scored to provide a mechanical.tooth for effectively gripping the conduit 17 as necessary to pull theconduit away from any entrapped broken stub. End flanges 87 are providedon the jaws 78 and 79 to limit the travel of the collar 77 so that theconduit 17 will not be overly compressed. The collar 77 can be of fullcircle construction, but it is preferred that such collar be of onlysegmental construction as better shown in FIG. 6. Where the opening leftby a segmental construction is of sufficient width, the collar can beplaced about a continuous conduit so that the tool can then be used forthe disassembly of undamaged sprinkler system components. If this toolwith a split or segmental collar is to be used for such disassemblyoperations, the jaw 78 will be positioned on the conduit; the collar 77can then be moved from alateral position to encompass the conduit; andthereafter the jaw 79, which is of sufficient arcuate extent to span thegap 88 in collar 77, can be moved reciprocally along the conduit 17toward engagement with the wedge surface 84 provided by the collar 77.With both jaws and collar 77 in place and attached to the leg 66, an endor other portion of leg 67 can be abutted against a surface of anundamaged sprinkler system component to provide an anchor or base forthe subsequent tensioning operations of the collar 77. In the FIG. 1illustration the leg 67 could be positioned against the standpipesection 12 of the component 11, and the leverage force of pli- 4 ers 61would then be operative to mojve the engaged conduit 17 reciprocallyaway from such component 1 l.

A modification of the tool shown in FIG. 4 is possible so that anextractor plier leverage system may be used in connection with thisshouldered type of device. If the mounting body 42 is terminated alongthe line 8-3, clevis fingers 92, as shown by the dotted outlinepresentation, can be attached thereto. The extractor pliers 61 of FIG. 5could then be interconnected to such clevis fingers 92 and to a clevis93 attached to the shaft 43. With this alternate arrangement theleverage force of the extractor pliers 61 would be used in place of thescrew thread 43 to pull the extractor components and an engaged brokenstub 13 reciprocally apart from the conduit. Such extracting movementwill again be re- 7 .sisted by a shoulder 53.

substantially at right angles to said jaws and teeth for engagementbehind the inwardly disposed terminal end of in-place sprinkler systemcomponents, and mechanical advantage means operative with said expansionextractor elements for moving said expansion extractor elements radiallyinto engagement with the inner bore of said sprinkler system components.a collar for engagement about the exterior surface of said conduit,conduit engaging pieces for disposition about said conduit and withinsaid collar, contraction means operative between said collar and conduitengaging pieces for moving said pieces toward secure contact with saidconduit, and mechanical advantage means operative between said sprinklersystem component and collar for facilitating the removal of saidcomponents reciprocally away from said conduit.

2. Structure as set forth in claim I wherein said collar is split toprovide a gap whereby the collar can be applied laterally to partiallyencircle said conduit.

3. Structure as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising an expansionplier leverage component as said mechanical advantage means.

1. A tool for extracting sprinkler system components from positions ofengagement in conduits thereof comprising paired expansion extractorelement jaws for insertion through the bore of said sprinkler systemcomponents, mechanical tooth elements on exterior surfaces of saidexpansion extractor element jaws positioned for contact along the secureengagement with the inner bore of said sprinkler system component, endflanges of said expansion extractor elements disposed substantially atright angles to said jaws and teeth for engagement behind the inwardlydisposed terminal end of in-place sprinkler system components, andmechanical advantage means operative with said expansion extractorelements for moving said expansion extractor elements radially intoengagement with the inner bore of said sprinkler system components. acollar for engagement about the exterior surface of said conduit,conduit engaging pieces for disposition about said conduit and withinsaid collar, contraction means operative between said collar and conduitengaging pieces for moving said pieces toward secure contact with saidconduit, and mechanical advantage means operative between said sprinklErsystem component and collar for facilitating the removal of saidcomponents reciprocally away from said conduit.
 2. Structure as setforth in claim 1 wherein said collar is split to provide a gap wherebythe collar can be applied laterally to partially encircle said conduit.3. Structure as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising an expansionplier leverage component as said mechanical advantage means.